A coordinated security operation in Kondele, Kisumu County, has resulted in the arrest of a suspected gang member and the seizure of various illegal items, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in the region. The operation, which was intelligence-driven, involved a collaboration between the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Administration Police Service (APS), and the General Service Unit (GSU). These agencies worked together to intercept a vehicle of interest, a white Toyota Axio with the registration number KCZ 808K, leading to the apprehension of 34-year-old Franklin Okungu, also known by his alias "Ninjaman."
Okungu is believed by authorities to be a member of a notorious gang and an associate of another suspected criminal, Oliver Jaoko, who goes by the alias "Olivetti." Following his arrest, Okungu cooperated with law enforcement by leading them to his residence in Manyatta. There, officers discovered a cache of weapons and other suspicious items. Among the recovered items were pouches containing arrows, three machetes, and a customised metal club with a screw-gear head. Additionally, military-style clothing and equipment were found, including jungle ground sheets, a red beret, tactical shirts and trousers, tactical shorts, and a black military-style helmet.
The operation also led to the seizure of 16 cannabis-infused cookies, bhang, and a diary filled with handwritten notes on tactics and techniques. Training manuals and other materials related to warfare were among the items confiscated. Crime Scene Investigators from the Nyanza Region meticulously processed and documented the scene, ensuring that an inventory of the recovered items was prepared and signed by Okungu.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Okungu served as an instructor for a group known as the "American Marines," which is allegedly linked to Jaoko. This group reportedly trained its members in the use of swords, pangas, and machetes, as well as in karate and other combat techniques. Initially composed of bouncers and youths hired for various assignments, the group is said to have evolved into what is now known as the "Summit Gang."
Okungu is currently being processed for arraignment and is expected to face multiple charges. These include robbery with violence, possession of public stores, possession of suspected stolen or unlawfully obtained property, possession of narcotic drugs, and participation in organized criminal activity. This arrest highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling organized crime and the dedication of security agencies to maintaining public safety in Kisumu County.
